Mercedes Benz Gl 320 (2006)
2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320
CarHunch analysed 113 real MOT records for the 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2006 GL 320 is slightly less reliable than the UK average, with a 76.8% first-time pass rate versus the national 80%, and nearly three in ten have experienced dangerous defects at some point—a genuine concern for a potential buyer. The diesel variant (which makes up virtually all examples) passes at 76.5%, showing no meaningful petrol/diesel divide here.
These GL 320s have racked up a reasonable 85,231 miles median for their age, and they're accumulating problems: an average of 3.43 failures and 18.7 advisories per test suggest this is an expensive vehicle to keep on the road. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the suspension, electrics, and cooling system, as these older Mercedes tend to generate high advisory counts.
What to check before buying a 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 28.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Mercedes Benz Gl 320
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (98%) | 111 | 76.5% | 3.48 |
| Petrol (2%) | 2 | 94.4% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 vehicles fall between 67,851 and 101,160 miles.
2006 Mercedes Benz Gl 320 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 29 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (33% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Mercedes Benz Gl 320?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.